It’s not just humans who must take care in the summer sun, we need to make sure we are exercising the same amount of caution (if not more) for our dogs too.
Many dogs love the sunshine and would happily spend hours basking in the heat. However, excessive heat can be dangerous for our pooches and while we don’t want to darken those summer days, it’s important that all dog owners are aware of these dangers and what they can do about them as it may require a little forward planning.
Prevention is better than cure!
Dogs do not sweat. Instead, they rely on panting and expelling heat from their paws to keep themselves cool. Ultimately, this means they cannot regulate their temperature the same as us, and so are more susceptible to overheating and heatstroke. (See our blog on dog first aid which talks about symptoms of heatstroke and what to do.)
The thing to remember when it comes to overheating and/or heatstroke in dogs by the time you spot symptoms, it’s likely that damage has been done which is why prevention is better than cure.
So, how do we prevent overheating and/or heatstroke in dogs?
Wooflinks Top Tips on How to Keep your Dog Cool in Summer
1. Keep your dog indoors during the hottest part of the day
You must keep dogs out of the sun during the hottest time of the day (usually between 11:00am – 3pm in hot weather.
This does not mean they are not allowed to go out to the toilet but avoid exercising during these times and letting them lie outside for prolonged periods.
Where possible, keep windows open and curtains closed to block out some of the heat. And ensure that your dog ALWAYS has access to cool drinking water.
Fans can present more problems than they solve. Due to how dogs regulate their temperature, they are not massively effective, can easily be knocked over and (for the more troublesome pups) have wires that can be chewed through.
2. Place damp towels on the floor for your dog to lie on
Simply take an old towel and run it under cool (not freezing!) water. Squeeze out the excess water, place on the floor and et voila!
3. Reassess your dog’s exercise routine
As mentioned, no walking dogs during hottest part of the day. However, we know the feeling of dog-parent guilt when those bored puppy dog eyes are looking towards their lead longing for that walk, so it’s time to get creative.
Firstly, check out our blog here on easy DIY boredom busters for your pooch.
Are you lucky enough to live near a stream, lake or seaside? If so, why not jump in the (air-conditioned) car and head to a spot where your pooch can paddle?
Quick side note – not all dogs like swimming. If yours isn’t keen, you must not force them and must never throw a dog into water.
4. Buy a cooling bandana or mat from your local pet shop
There is a plethora of cooling contraptions on the market nowadays so a trip down to your local pet shop will be sure to sort you out.
Our favourites are certainly the cooling bandanas and mats. The mats fold to a size that makes them easy to carry or move around, unlike the damp towels. The bandanas are worn around the neck and supply cooling comfort on those hot days.
5. Get the paddling pool out
Not only are these great fun for your dog, but they also double up as a huge drinking bowl! Make the paddling pool stimulating by throwing treats or balls in for your pup to fetch. This may allow you to skip the walk on a warm day by providing alternative forms of exercise.
For more helpful articles like this one, take a look at our blogs page!
Add a comment